CITY OF PASADENA ANIMAL CONTROL & ADOPTION FOSTER DOG & CAT MANUAL

Transcription

1 CITY OF PASADENA ANIMAL CONTROL & ADOPTION FOSTER DOG & CAT MANUAL 5150 Burke Rd Pasadena, TX This manual is designed to provide foster parents with a comprehensive overview of the Pasadena Animal Shelters Fostering Program. This manual is meant to be a helpful resource for foster parents and should answer many of the questions that may arise before and during foster care. Foster parents should always consult with the shelters foster coordinator for specific help and assistance. All information is subject to change.

2 Program Information Thank you for opening your heart and home to one of our shelter s orphaned animals. Your generosity will provide young and old, injured and sick, abused and under socialized animals a chance to grow or heal before finding their forever homes. The program has saved many animals that might otherwise have been euthanized. How the program works- The shelter staff work to determine which animals are most in need of foster care. As an approved foster parent, you ll receive s from the Foster Coordinator providing a brief description of those animals needing foster homes. When you see a animal that might be a good match for your household and lifestyle, you simply follow the instructions in the . A shelter staff member will contact you to provide more information and determine if the animal is a good match. They will also arrange a meeting between you (and your own dog if applicable) and the foster dog. Reasons to foster- Fostering is a wonderful experience for you and your family - you can feel good knowing you have helped save a animals life. Even better, you ve created space in the shelter to accommodate other homeless dogs/cats. Foster animals provide companionship and purpose - your act of kindness is repaid in rewards that are beyond words. Animals needing foster homes: Neglected or abused animals that need tender loving care. Injured and/or those recovering from surgery. Animals suffering from shelter stress in need of a calming home environment. Older or seniors that will be more comfortable in a home environment. Puppies/kittens and young animals that require more socialization than available at the shelter. Puppies/kittens too young and/or immature to be adopted. Animals with colds or with special medical needs. Abandoned mothers with litters. Any animal when the shelter becomes overcrowded. Frequently Asked Questions How long are animals in foster homes? It completely depends on the animal and the situation. The average stay in a foster home is about 6 weeks or greater. However, most puppies/kittens and some adults with great photos and stories on the web may stay only a few weeks. Others, recovering from an injury, certain breeds and senior dogs, may stay much longer. Can I adopt my foster animal? YES! As long as foster parents meet the shelter requirements necessary for adoption AND as long as there is no pending applications on that animal. Normal adoption fee apply. How are foster animals promoted? Photos and stories of all adoptable animals in foster homes are posted on online and at the shelter where the public can view them. Foster animals are also promoted at special events throughout the year. Foster parents may participate in various shelter programs and events to increase the visibility of their foster animal to potential adopters. Foster parents can also help promote their foster animal to their family, friends, colleagues and the general public through a variety of means including flyers, s, social media, like Facebook and blogs, and even just by walking your foster dog in local neighborhoods.

3 What is the process for adopting a foster animal? The process is very similar to adopting an animal from the shelter. The steps are briefly outlined below: Potential adopters are required to submit an adoption application for staff review before they can physically meet the foster animal. Once approved, meet and greets are scheduled with the foster. If it s a dog and potential adopters has dog(s) a meet and greet with that/those animal(s) are required. After the meet and greet (and if the applicant is still interested in the animal), the foster animal stays with the foster parent until they hear from the shelter staff or are given the okay to release the same day as the meet. Once approved, the adopter pays adoption fees to the shelter and makes a spay/neuter appointment, if necessary. Adoption is approved or rejected by shelter staff. Final approval of all adoptions is at the sole discretion of Pasadena Animal Control and Adoptions. If I have my own animals, can I foster? Family dogs must have a meet-and-greet with the potential foster dog to see if it s a suitable match. For cats no meets are required. Keep in mind that it s always a health risk to expose your animal to other animals whether it s walking at parks, vet waiting rooms or other common animal areas. The health risk is minimal if your animals are current on their vaccinations, maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle, and are not elderly or very young. If you or someone in your household is immunecompromised, consult your doctor before fostering since working or living with animals exposes humans to a group of diseases called zoonosis. A zoonotic disease (there are about 200) is defined as a disease transmitted from animals to humans and also from humans to animals. To find out more about zoonosis, talk to your doctor and/or veterinarian. Proper hygiene, preventative measures and an understanding of these illnesses can reduce the risk of disease. What supplies are needed to foster? Foster parents provide space, food, basic training, exercise, socialization, and love for the animal. The shelter will provide you with all the medical care that may be needed throughout your foster experience. Do I have to crate-train my foster animal? No, but it is one of the most efficient and effective ways to house train a puppy or retrain an adult dog. Some dogs do not like crates, and most dogs need to be transitioned or trained to use a crate, so it s up to the foster parent to decide whether to crate or not. Putting the dog in a crate while you are gone will give you peace of mind knowing that they are in a safe place, away from harm, and not doing any damage to your belongings or themselves. For many dogs, a crate can also represent a safe and comfortable place to call their own and provides them with a sense of security. Dogs actually like having a den to cuddle up in. Crating should never be used as punishment. As for orphaned kittens or moms with litters we are recommended to be placed in a large crate or in a separate area. Older kittens or cats can be left out to roam free around your home if that s what you choose. Do I need to have prior medical knowledge or expertise? No, but you may be asked to dispense medicine to your foster dog so you will have to be comfortable following instructions if fostering a sick or injured animal. What if my foster becomes sick? All medications are provided by the shelter. If a foster animal becomes sick, foster parents must call the shelter ASAP. If you visit ANY vet that has not been approved before hand for each time, you will not be reimbursed for any cost. If you have any general questions regarding the health of your foster animal, contact us and we will be glad to answer them as best as we can. How much time each day is needed to foster? Commitment and responsibilities depend on the individual animal and situation. It s essential that foster parents understand that shelter animals may be stressed and moving the animal from the shelter to the foster home is also very stressful and emotional. Foster parents must be willing to be patient and commit to the animal because our goal is to keep them in a stable and consistent environment. Many of the animals at the shelter are adolescent animals. They typically have a

4 lot of energy and require vigorous daily exercise. This means at least a minute walk/run in the morning and again in the afternoon for dogs, and with plenty of playtime in between for both cat and dog. Older dogs may only need a morning and evening stroll. Can I take my foster dog to an off-leash dog park for exercise and socialization? No. You are not allowed to take any foster dog from the Pasadena Animal Shelter to an off-leash dog park. While these parks can be fun for some dogs, there are far too many unknowns for it to be a safe and healthy experience for a foster dog. Diseases are easily transmitted and the temperaments of visiting dogs are unknown, thus creating a huge liability to the Pasadena Animal Shelter. Also, taking a leashed dog to a dog park can create barrier frustration and aggression in dogs. How can I help my foster animal become more adoptable? There are two ways to make a foster animal more adoptable. First and foremost is marketing. If no one knows about your foster animal, or how wonderful it is, then it will be next to impossible to find them a forever home. In addition to supplying great photos and a bio and updating these regularly, giving a foster animal additional exposure by telling friends and family about them will help create a network effect and will speed up the process of finding a forever home. Simple steps like taking a foster dog on walks in local parks, outdoor shopping areas and other hightraffic areas will help find potential adopters. Secondly, our dogs benefit greatly from the exercise (with the exception of those with some medical conditions), basic training, special love and attention you give them. While marketing provides you with applicants, it s always the animal that closes the deal. Providing a foster animal with basic training and manners will increase their adoptability. Shy animals will benefit from your patience, routine and slowly exposing them to new people to build their confidence. Rambunctious adolescents who learn good manners will help show off their trainability and long term potential. And while puppies/kittens are adorable, they need a lot of love, attention and hand holding from humans to develop properly and feel secure. Am I responsible for finding my foster animal its forever home? No, but we do need your help. Once a qualified applicant is identified, you will be asked to schedule a meet and greet with your foster animal and the potential adopter. Many times a foster parent will find a perfect match through their own network of friends, family and colleagues. The shelter greatly welcomes these referrals! If you think you have found a perfect forever home for your foster animal, remember they still must go through the application process and be approved by the shelter staff. Can I return my foster animal to the shelter if I am unable to foster any longer? We prefer that foster parents continue to foster until we find a permanent home for their foster. It s extremely stressful for an animal to be returned to the shelter environment. However, we understand that situations change and it may become necessary to transfer a foster animal. We request that a foster parent provides as much notice as possible (preferably 3-4 weeks) so that we can find an alternative foster home to transfer the animal to. Of course, in an emergency a foster parent may always bring their animal back to the shelter. Include the following in your request-for-transfer: A brief paragraph describing the animal; whether he is crate-trained, housetrained; gets along with other dogs/cats; whether he is child-friendly and any other pertinent information. What if I go on vacation or have a business trip? If given enough notice, we can usually find volunteers that can foster sit for short durations. We ask that foster parents always keep the shelter aware of any temporary foster sitting situations. Please include the requested information above as well. Are foster animals ever euthanized? Much energy, love, time and vet care is devoted to our foster animals, and the shelter is committed to finding homes for ALL the adoptable animals within its care. Some animals are in foster care because they re seriously ill or injured. If, after medical attention, these dogs are too injured or too weak to heal and are suffering without a means for relief or are irreparably aggressive,

5 then the shelter staff will humanely euthanize these animals. Fortunately, most animals in foster care heal beautifully. On rare occasions, a animal in foster care may start to exhibit potentially dangerous behavior that was unknown or suppressed when the animal was at the shelter. The shelter may determine that this animal is too dangerous and will humanely euthanize the animal or may seek an alternative facility for its care. Your safety is our #1 priority. You must always inform the shelter staff if your foster animal exhibits any aggressive behavior. REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL FOSTER PARENTS In order to become a foster parent, you will need to complete a Foster Application and Agreement. Pasadena Animal Shelter staff approves all foster parent applications and all foster animal matches. Shelter staff may also remove a foster an animal from a foster home for any reason they deem necessary. IMPORTANT RULES AND REMINDERS REGARDING YOUR FOSTER ANIMAL In addition to the requirements and responsibilities outlined in the Foster Agreement, and throughout this manual, foster parents MUST abide by the following rules: No off-leash park visits. Foster dogs must be on leash at all times and supervised when outdoors unless in your own secured fenced yard. No retractable leashes. No aversive training techniques or tools may be used on foster dogs. Aversive include electronic collars, physical reprimands including newspaper rolls, etc. Foster dogs may not be left unattended at any time outside, even in a secured yard. You may not leave your dog loose in the house with an accessible doggie door when you are not present Cats are NOT allowed outside at any time. Any aggressive behavior must be immediately communicated to shelter staff. All vet visits must be pre-approved by the shelter every time and all medications will be provided by the shelter or vet. No other medications can be administered to a foster animal. Foster parents must respond within 24 hours after being contacted by a shelter staff member. Foster parents are encouraged to have internet access and check their daily, as this is the primary form of communication. If your foster animal escapes or becomes lost, contact the shelter immediately. Try your best to find the animal by searching the house and surrounding outside area. Alert surrounding neighbors and post flyers when appropriate. Do not rule out that the animal might still be in his or her own foster room. And unless age, illness, or injury prevents it, please have appropriate identification on your foster animal at all times. GETTING READY TO FOSTER A DOG/CAT After being approved by the shelter staff as a qualified foster home, but before you bring a foster animal home, we suggest you prepare yourself, your family and your home for a new canine companion or cat. Be physically and mentally prepared Fostering is a family affair, so please make sure that everyone in your household is ready, willing and able to provide a loving home for an orphaned animal. Many adults and children have a difficult time adjusting to a new schedule or routine, and also have a difficult time giving up an animal to his forever home. Make sure everyone is ready for this new, temporary, addition to your family.

6 Be realistic about your time commitment to a foster animal. Many people believe that a shelter is a terrible place and an animal is always better off in a home. While the shelter can be a stressful environment for many animals, they do receive excellent care during their stay. In addition to a clean, warm and dry kennel, with plenty of fresh water, food and vet tech care, most shelter animals are petted and walked daily by volunteers. Don t over-extend yourself when starting out. You may want to begin with foster sitting. And even if you have experience with big adolescent dogs, starting with an older dog, a small dog or even a puppy, for cats starting off with one or two not a litter is a great way to build your foster parenting experience. Where to keep your foster animal planning where you will keep your foster before you bring your foster animal home will make the entire process easier for everyone. When you first bring a foster home, you ll want to confine them to a single room, such as a kitchen or family room. This room should not be an isolated room, but a room where you spend a large part of your day or evening, as dogs are pack animals and want to be with you. This room is especially important when you re at work or away from the house, as it will be a new environment in which they need time to become familiar and comfortable. Use a baby gate to block off the entrances to other rooms. By keeping the dog in one room, you re helping prevent accidents that may occur because of stress or adjusting to your routine. (Even a house-trained dog might have an accident or two during this adjustment period.) For dogs that are not housetrained, keeping them confined to one room will help start this important training as you must be able to monitor their activities. The shelter recommends you also use a crate in this room for times when you are away from the house. For cats this will solemnly be up to you, they can have roam of the home. If they are cats that are fearful we recommend blocking areas that can be difficult getting them out of, or if they are litters or moms and litters a large kennel is recommended. The Do s do keep your foster indoors in a location with a crate available. Do keep your foster in a warm/cool (depending on the season) and dry location. Do keep your foster dog on a leash at all times when outdoors unless in your secured fenced yard. When in a secured yard, you must supervise him at all times. It is very common for a shelter dog to try and escape so always supervise your shelter dog. Do keep your puppy indoors in a kitchen, bathroom, mudroom or laundry room (you may want to use baby gates to limit access to other parts of your home) while you are not there. Puppies and kittens should be around humans for socialization purposes and should not be isolated. The Don ts Do not place your foster dog around other strange dogs as we often do not know the dog s past history. Foster dogs should not be put in a position of possibly fighting with a strange dog, reducing their chances for adoption and increasing their chances of euthanasia. Do not allow your foster dogs outdoors unless supervised by an adult. Never take your foster dog to an off-leash park. This is a liability to the shelter. Taking a foster dog to an off-leash park will result in the removal of the foster dog and end your role as a foster parent. Do not allow any foster cat to go outside. How to foster proof a room walk into the room in which you plan to confine your foster dog, and ask yourself: Is there room for the crate (dog s safe place)? Is there quick access to the outside for bathroom breaks? Is there anything that can be chewed, such as drapes, a couch or rugs? Are there exposed electrical wires? Is there anywhere the dog/cat can hide? Will you be able to get the animal out if hidden? Are there coffee tables with objects that can be knocked off by a wagging tail? Are there plants in the room? If so, check the list of toxic plants in this manual. Where will I set up the crate once all hazards are removed? Is the crate in a quiet, low-traffic area of the room? Is there a blanket in the crate to train your foster dog that it s his bed? For cats, is there a specific area for a litter box, scratch post and their water/food bowls? Items you may need Food and bowls, crate.

7 Bedding - a clean, old blanket or towel or a dog/cat bed that is washable. Odor neutralizer (like Nature s Miracle); If you clean mistakes with soap and water, your dog will still smell the urine and go to the bathroom in that spot repeatedly. Toys such as: hard rubber balls, Kongs, fleece toys, rope toys for dogs and strings, balls, scratch posts, litter pans, litter for cats. Leash, Training collars should be used only during training periods. Training treats such as string cheese, doggy squeeze cheese, lunch meat or small dog biscuits. Do not give your foster dog hooves, rawhide, pigs ears or vinyl toys that can cause diarrhea or choke the dog. Baby gate(s). Bitter Apple (to spray on leashes, woodwork, drapery anything you don t want chewed). TRANSPORTING YOUR FOSTER The safest way to transport your foster from the shelter to your home (or anywhere else), is in a secure crate (no exceptions for cats, they have to be in a crate). It is always a good idea to put a blanket down under your crate or in the back section of your vehicle, so that if your dog becomes car sick, or has an accident, the blanket will protect your seats and carpet. If you can t fit a crate into your vehicle, your dog is safest in the back seat. Use either a special harness for your dog that hooks on to a seat belt, or a leash that attaches to the seat belt. Avoid letting your dog ride in the passenger seat next to you. Not only can your view be obstructed, but also if you brake suddenly your dog could get injured by hitting the windshield or by the air bag. You might need a few treats to encourage a dog to jump into a car. If you can get a dog to put his front paws up, then you can lift his back end by supporting his hindquarters (as if he were sitting on your crossed arms). If you need to completely lift your dog, the best way is by putting one arm behind his hind legs and one arm in front of his front legs essentially a scoop. Another way is to have one arm just behind his front legs, and one hand behind his hind legs. This way the dog s weight is being supported in the same general area of its legs. Keep in mind; most dogs don t really like to be lifted. Remember to always keep a handle on his leash. Cats need to be placed in a carrier prior to going outside. INTRODUCING YOUR DOGS TO FOSTER DOGS The shelter staff will assist you with introducing your dog to a foster dog; a kennel tech must be present during the meet and greet. You should bring your dog to meet your potential foster dog at the shelter s front yard area before you bring a foster dog home. For cats this does not apply. Typically dogs of the opposite sex do better together. And even if your dog has many different canine playmates, you should still bring your dog to the shelter to meet a potential foster dog. Dogs are like people, and sometimes a dog may not like another dog for no apparent reason. Once you are home with your foster dog Do be alert and make the reintroductions gradually and calmly. Even if they got along great at the shelter, your dog may be extremely territorial in the home. If possible, go for a walk around your neighborhood with both dogs and two handlers. Walk the dogs side by side on leashes and allow them to sniff one another and become familiar with each other. Do give your own dog LOTS of love and praise. Do leave leashes on the dogs when you are in the home, so that you can get immediate control if needed. You may only need to do this for a short time. Do talk normally. Letting the dogs know that you are fine; they are fine; everything is fine! Be patient and go slowly with your foster dog as they may have been through a stressful surgery, abusive situation or a lot of recent changes.

8 Don t leave your foster dog unattended with your resident dog. Even if they seem to get along well in your presence, you should separate the dogs when you leave your house. If you do leave your dogs alone together, be sure to always remove all toys, food and chews, and start slowly. Some common mistakes: Holding the leash too tensely as dogs may react with defensiveness. Leaving toys and chews around the house. This can cause resource guarding which can escalate very quickly. Remove all toys and chews before you arrive home with your foster dog. Feeding your foster dog with your resident dog. It s best to separate them initially, and to supervise always. Over-stimulating your foster dog with introductions to many people or your neighbors dogs. INTRODUCING YOUR CATS TO FOSTER DOGS Written by Kristie Bradley, update/rewritten by Laura Harris, additions by Pasadena Animal Shelter staff. Before you introduce your foster dog to your cat, you may wish to wait a few days until you have confirmed or instilled basic obedience in your foster dog. You will need to have your foster dog under control and know which behaviors are appropriate when interacting with a cat. Allow your foster dog to settle down and get to know your surroundings first before you start introductions to unfamiliar animals. Introducing a cat to a dog is similar to introducing dogs to one another. Take your time and create a stress-free environment. Begin by keeping your cat in a different room. Allow the dog to become comfortable in his own room. Once the dog is comfortable, let him explore the rest of the house for short periods each day while the cat is in another room. This will allow them to pick up each other s scent. After a few days, allow the two to meet but keep the dog on a leash. Observe their interactions - a dog that is showing overt aggression, such as snarling, growling, baring teeth, etc., will probably never accept a cat. The cat and dog should be separated by baby gates or kept in separate rooms. If all is reasonably calm so far, walk the dog around the room on leash, but don t let go of the leash in case the dog decides to chase the cat. On leash interactions give the cat the opportunity to approach the dog if they choose, or to find a route of escape. During the first few meetings, the cat and dog will probably not interact face to face. A dog is a predatory animal. It s a natural instinct for a dog to want to chase a cat. Assume the dog will chase the cat so you are prepared. Never allow the dog to intimidate the cat by barking or chasing. Each time the dog acts inappropriately (barking), let him know these behaviors are unacceptable; try using a verbal interrupter, like Oops to get their attention and redirect their energy. On the other hand, if the cat bops the dog on the nose as a warning, that s a good sign and should not be discouraged. When they set up boundaries between themselves, they are beginning to establish a working relationship. Let them interact with the dog on leash for about 30 minutes, then return the cat back to its safe haven and bring the dog to its dog crate or bed. Give the dog a treat and lots of praise. Increase the amount of time they are together a little each visit. It s important to be patient and encouraging in their interactions. If you re relaxed, they will be more at ease. Always praise friendly behavior profusely. Don t rush the introduction or force them to interact more than either is willing. Pressing them to accept each other will only slow down the adjustment process. When the cat and dog seem to be getting used to each other, let the dog go, but keep his leash attached to his collar. Let him drag it around the house as he wanders, that way you can control him at any time. The cat will probably hide at first. You should use your best judgment as to when they can begin supervised sessions with the dog off-leash. INTRODUCING CAT TO ANOTHER CAT Always separate in a different room and let them play underneath the door first. After they have gotten used to each others scents, slowly introduce them. Do not force anything. Normal hissing is okay, just look out for extreme aggressiveness.

9 Additional information for the first week: If your foster is available for adoption, take new photos and write a new bio for your foster. One of the many benefits of adopting an animal from foster care is that the foster parent can provide detailed, personal information about their foster. Your for will be adopted more quickly if you update this information as soon as possible. Please send all updates to the foster coordinator. GENERAL INFORMATION ON FOSTERING Expectations of behavior Allow time for adjustment. While it usually takes about 24 hours for them to settle in, it will take much longer for their overall adjustment to this new environment. Watch their behavior closely. Remember that it will take up to a month before your foster bonds with you, so keep your expectations realistic. On the average, foster parents have their fosters for about 2 months before they re adopted. While this amount of time will not be long enough to fully train your foster, it will be enough time to give him a good foundation for his new family. Begin training with some basic commands and crate training. Your foster may have been traumatized before coming to you you ll be teaching that people are good and can be trusted. You should handle and work with your foster every day. If he shows any signs of aggression or fear (growling over food or toys, snapping or hiding), contact the shelter staff for guidance. Diet change some animals get diarrhea from a change in diet. If this happens, you can call the shelter for suggestions after that has passed then reintroduce the dry kibble. Feeding schedule and quantity create a consistent schedule for feeding your foster. Feed at the same times every day. Create a separate space for your foster to eat so they will feel comfortable. If you have other animals at home, feed your foster in a separate room and close the door - this will help prevent any arguments over food. Do not feed any people food. You do not know what the adoptive family will want to do, so don t start a habit they will have to break; and by feeding only pet food, you are also discouraging begging. Feeding will depend on the age and size of your foster. Adults: dry adult food twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. Adolescent (4 months to 1 year): dry puppy/kitten food, twice a day Weaned pups/kittens (6-8 weeks to 4 months): dry puppy/ kitten food three to four times a day, can be moistened with water or puppy/kitten formula. Nursing mothers with puppies/kittens and unweaned puppies/kittens (4-8 weeks): Be sure to review the section for Puppy/kitten Care The quantity of food you provide your foster will vary depending on weight, age and activity level. Please refer to the suggested amounts on the dog/cat food package you are feeding your foster as the amounts may change depending on the brand. Always provide plenty of fresh water! MEDICAL CARE Most medical care is done in house. Routine vaccinations and deworming will be administered by the shelter. If your foster animal displays any of the symptoms below, contact the shelter. Foster animals must be pre-authorized by the foster coordinator if animal needs to be taken to a vet. Please note: The shelter has a policy that it will not reimburse individuals for vet bills for foster animals if you do not receive pre-approval for any vet office visit or treatment. Illness your foster may not display any signs of illness until quite ill. Therefore, it s up to you to observe your foster closely each day. Call the shelter if you see abnormal behavior; unusual discharges from the eyes, nose or other body openings, abnormal lumps, limping, difficulty getting up or down, loss of appetite or abnormal waste elimination.

10 Diarrhea. It can be a very simple problem. Left unchecked it can kill a small kitten/puppy quickly. Not eating/drinking. This can be a symptom of illness and a serious problem. Upper respiratory. symptoms (runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing). Lethargy. (lack of interest in playing, spends a great deal of time sleeping). (Dogs) Distemper. is an extremely contagious and often fatal viral disease. Over 50% of dogs and 80% of puppies that contract the virus die from it. It is an airborne infection that can be transmitted with or without direct contact with an infected dog through mucous, urine and feces. Some of the symptoms include twitching, squinting, congestion of the eyes, puss from the eyes, weight loss, coughing, vomiting, nasal discharge and diarrhea. This disease is another reason why foster puppies shouldn t go to off-leash parks. (Dogs) Parvo attacks the intestinal tract, white blood cells and heart muscle. Signs of infection are depression, loss of appetite, vomiting, severe diarrhea, bloody diarrhea with bad odor, fever and sometimes kennel cough symptoms. The illness is contracted through contact with the infected feces of another dog, or surface they have been in. This is why you must NOT take your foster puppy out to public places where other dogs have been until he has completed his vaccine series against the disease. This virus can be deadly. Parasites Parasites can cause diarrhea, stomach bloating or vomiting. Parasites include tapeworms, round worms, hookworms and mange. Tapeworms will look like pieces of rice coming out of your foster dog s anus or in his stool. Round and hookworms may be vomited, and roundworms look like spaghetti (hookworms are smaller and rarely distinguishable without the aid of a microscope). Mange is an infestation of tiny mites that bite and cause intense scratching, reddened skin and loss of fur. Only rare cases of mange (sarcoptic) are contagious to humans.